Local trio earn selection in WA Country XI team despite Australian Country Cricket Championships being canned

Three Albany and Districts Cricket Association players earned selection in this season’s WA Country XI team despite the Australian Country Cricket Championships being cancelled.

The Australian Country Cricket Championships have been called off due to the impact of COVID-19, however, selectors went ahead and chose a 12-man squad in preparation.

Mt Barker duo Jeremy Wood and Nathan Crudeli were both selected in the team along with Railways captain Coen Marwick.

Performances in local club club cricket, along with country pathway matches in the WA Premier Cricket T20 Competition, Belt-Up Country Cup, Statewide T20 Community Cup and Senior Country Week, were factors in the selection process.

Albany’s Tim Edmunds was chosen as the coach.

Eight players picked in the 2020-21 side have previously travelled with the team, including former Albany resident Tim Hutchinson, who was named captain.

Wood, who captains Mt Barker, was named vice-captain of the WA Country XI after leading them at last year’s championship.

He also led the ADCA into the A-grade senior country week grand final.

Crudeli had a phenomenal season which including winning the Barry Shepherd Medal for the best player at Senior Country Week, while also snaring eight wickets in the WA Premier T20 competition.

Marwick has been to the past few championships and is a proven contributor with both bat and ball.

WACA country area manager Steve Philippe said it was an exciting squad.

“All the selected players thoroughly deserved this honour, as they have had standout seasons and have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to their associations and the WA Country XI program throughout the season,” he said.

WA COUNTRY XI SQUAD 2020-21

Tim Hutchison (C), Peel Cricket Association

Jeremy Wood (VC), Albany & Districts Cricket Association

Josh Rudge, Peel Cricket Association

Michael Tassone, Bunbury & Districts Cricket Association

Bevan Bennell, Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association

Troyden Thorpe, Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association

Nathan Crudeli, Albany & Districts Cricket Association

Mitchell Shellam, Peel Cricket Association

Brayden Clarke, Bunbury & Districts Cricket Association

Coen Marwick, Albany & Districts Cricket Association

Ben Payne, Busselton-Margaret River Cricket Association

Jacob Wintle, Bunbury & Districts Cricket Association